Natural Groundwater
With a natural underground water source that forms the backbone of a water & sewer service that covers 740,000 people, Kumamoto is known as 'Mizu no Miyako', a 'City of Water'.
The scope of its underground water system is one of a kind in Japan, and a rare sight anywhere in the world.
The Kumamoto area was formed from an eruption of Mt. Aso, and the ground there is noteworthy for how well water permeates it. Rainwater trickles down the sides of the Aso mountain range and permeates the soil, and after about 20 years it makes it's way into Kumamoto's natural water reserves, having absorbed plenty of minerals on the way to make for delicious, healthy drinking water.
That's how Kumamoto became blessed with mineral water on-tap, imparting luxurious, healthy minerals in their drinking water, cooking, baths, and everything else water-based.
The best symbol of this water wealth is Lake Ezu, which pumps out about 40,000 tons of fresh water every day, making it by far and away the best spot to experience just how Kumamoto came to be known as a 'City of Water'.
